Flow indicator



June 11, 1935. wjc. KLElNF-ELljER FLOW INDICATOR Filed Sept. 25; 1952 :5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR W C. KLE/NFELDER ATTORNEY June 11, 1935. w. c. KLEINFELDERI 2,004,611

4 FLOW INDICATOR Filed Sept. 25, 1932 s Sheets-Sheet 3 /N VE N 7019 m c. KLE/NFELDER gjgk gz ATTORNEY Patented June 11, 1935 UNITED eras ,co an FLOW INDICATOR Walter C; Kleinfelder, Rosebank, N.'Y., assignor to Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation ofNew York Application September 23, 1932, Serial No. 634,571

17 Claims.

This invention relates to flow indicators and more particularly to indicators of this type for the determination of gas' flow in gas-filled tubes or pipes.

The invention is particularly applicable to methods of detecting leaks in the hermetic lead covering of multi-conductor signalling cables.

In modern practice of operating telephone cables, which consist of paper and air insulated conductors surrounded by a hermetic sheathing of lead for the exclusion of moisture, the cable is filled with an inert gas, such as nitrogen, under a pressure of approximately 12 pounds per square inch; some of the objects of this practice are to prevent moisture from entering through an accidental leak in the sheathing and to provide a means for detecting such leaks, namely, by 0bserving reductions in the gas pressure.

The exact location of a leak presents an important problem, particularly in the case of underground cables which form a large proportion of the present day telephone system. In case of repairs the choi e is between digging down to the leak to stop it, and replacing the cable portion between manholes in which the leak is located; in either case it is quite essential that the location of the leak be very definitely determined by observations made at points of access, such as the manholes.

Various methods have been suggested for this purpose but difliculties have been encountered with them due to the slowness of the gas flow in the cables.

The present invention contemplates a flow indicator, which is highly sensitive to slow flows or small pressure differences, and which is attached for observation to two points on the lead sheath located within a manhole as far apart as possible.

The invention further contemplates the methad of locating a leak according to which the flow in a cable section is observed by means of a directional flow indicator, in successive manholes along the section until two holes have been reached in which the directions of flow are opposed thereby locating the leak as being in that part of the cable section which lies between those two manholes.

In accordance with a feature of the invention the flow indicator comprises a shuntpath for that portion of the cable, which lies between two valves attached thereto in a manhole and includes in this shunt path a chamber for a vapcr which is capable of reacting with a reagent visibly located in another portion of the shunt path to be normally out of contact with the vapor; when a; pressure difierence exists between the valves gas will flow from the cable through the shunt path and will carry the vapor into contact with the reagent which then will be subject to a visible change, as by coloration, provided the flow be in the proper direction.

In accordance with another feature of the inventionthe indicator is adapted for immediate determination of the direction of the gas flow in the cable by having included in its shunt path two visible deposits of the chemical indicating reagent, one on each side of the vapor container, whereby one or the other indicator will react visibly in accordance with the direction of flow. This arrangement furthermore will permit a check on the observation, since by reversal of the indicator connections to the valves on the cable the other chemical indicator also will react visibly for a given direction of flow in the cable.

In accordance'with a preferred form of the, invention the flow indicator is adapted for portable use by being of light and simple construction and having flexible connections for attachment, diroot and reversed, to the cable sheath; windows are provided in the two'branches of the indicator for observation of the visible reactions by the chemical reagent; receptacles, readily removable, are further provided for the chemical indicators as well as for the reactive vapor supply. The chemical indicator is'in the form 'of a deposit. of a substance, which may bejan acid such as phenolphthalein, on a strip which may be white blotting paper, placed within a glass tubewhich'is open at both ends to form a throughpassage for the gases; the reactive vapor maybe that of a base, such as ammonium hydroxide, absorbed by a wick placed in the vapor chamber.

In accordance with a further feature of themventi'on thereceptacle with the vapor ampoule is inserted in a chamber normally disconnected-by valving means from the two chemicalindicators, so that it will be placed in communication simultaneously with bothbranches of the fiowindicator. V v 4 The general principles of the flow indicator are applicable to flow meters for liquids as well as for gases with the proper choice of chemicals for the visible reaction. As a gas flow indicator the ,de-

vice according to the invention is also applicable 7 for detection of flows in pipes or tubular passages other than cable sheaths. It is also possible to arrange the parts in different ways for the purpose 2 of the invention without a departure from the scope thereof.

The following more detailed description of the invention has reference to the attached drawings in which:

Fig. l is a simplified showing of a cable section with a flow indicator attached to two points thereof.

Figs-2 to 6 are detailed views of a commercially practical embodiment of the invention showing the indicator mounted in a portable box; Fig. 2 is a top view; Fig. 3 is a side view partly in section taken on line 3-3 in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a top view of the indicator systemproper, partly in section taken on line 4-4 in Fig. 5; Fig. 5 is an end view of the indicator system, partlyin section taken on line 5-5 in Fig. 4; and Fig. 6 is a side view of the indicator system partly in section taken on line 66 in Fig. 4.

Fig. '7 shows a wick covered ampoulecontai'ning a'vapor supply, and Y Fig.8 shows a transparent ampoule containing a chemical indicator. 1

Referring now to the system shown'in Fig. l the cable portion I0 may be the portion of an underground telephone cable located within a manhole. A cable of this type usually comprises from a few to several hundred signalling conductors each surrounded by a loose wrapping of paper for insulation, which leaves considerable air space between the conductors. The whole bundle of conductors II is surrounded by a continuous lead sheath I2 which serves to hermetically seal in the conductors against moisture.

In accordance with present day practice, signalling cables of this type are sectionalized after being placed in the ground each section being long enough to pass through several manholes; adjacent sections" are isolated by plugging a few 5 inches of the cable in a manhole, i. e., by completely filling the air spaces within the cable sheath with a low melting point'insulating substance for the purpose of preventing gas'from passing from one cable section to the other. Each section is then filled with an inert gas, such as nitrogen, through an airvalve atached to the sheath, to a pressure of about I2 pounds per square inch, for the purpose of preventing moisture from entering through accidental leaks in the sheath. l I

At regular intervals inspectors will check the gas pressure in each section'to determine the position of leaks as well as their extent. When a'leak is considered of sufficient size to warrant repairs of the sheath or replacement of the cable length between two adjacent manholes it becomes necessary to definitely determine between which two manholes, along thewhole isolated section, the leak is located.

For this purpose, two valves I3 and I4 are attached to the cablesheath in. each manhole as far apart as possible for attachment of a fiow indicator. By means of the flow indicator the direction of flow in the cable towards the leak is determined successively in different manholes until oppositely directed flows are observed in two adjacent manholes thereby indicating the location ,of the leak as being between those two manholes.

As shown in Fig. 1 a simple form of the flow indicator embodying the invention comprises a container with two outlets 2i and 22 connected to glass tubes 23 and 24, respectively, which in turn are connected to the valves I3 and I4. The container 20 holds a supply 30 of ammonium hy droxide above which the space will be filled with ammonia vapor surrounding the connections 2| and 22. Each of theglass tubes 23 and 24 contain a strip 25, which may be of white blotting paper with a deposit of phenolphthalein.

Assuming a gas flow in the cable in the direction indicated by the arrows, the pressure gradient between the valves I3 and I4 due to this flow would cause a by-fiow of the nitrogen gas from the cable through the indicator thereby driving ammonia vapor from the container 20 through the connection 2| into contact with the strip 25 in tube 23. As is well known phenolphthalein, which ordinarily is colorless, and ammonia, when mixed together, will form a salt of a distinct pink color. Observation of this coloration in the tube 23 would indicate to the inspector that the flow in the cable is in the direction of that tube from container 20. When under reversed conditions the coloration is observed in glass tube 24, this would be an indication of a gas flow in the, cable in the opposite direction. Having observed the coloration in tube 23 under the conditions shown in Fig. l, the inspector may reverse the connections so that glass .tube 24 would be connected to valve I3 and glass. tube 23 be connected to valve I4. If now the strip 25 in tube 24 isobserved't-o color, the inspector would have a check on his first observation.

Thep'referred embodiment of the invention, shown in greater detail in Figs. 2 to 8, comprises a practical arrangement adapted for field use.

The indicator system of this embodiment is mounted within a box IOI having a cover I02 and is fastened to the box by means of cross pieces I63 and I04.

The indicator system comprises a double gated valve I I 5 located between two window mountings I23 and I24.- Flexible connections I3I and E32 with suitable self-closing caps I33 serve for connection of the system to valves on the cable, such as valves I3 and I4 in Fig. 1.

' The valve I I5; as shown more in detail in Figs. land 5, comprises the movable valve body H6, hollowed out to form a chamber I24, a housing Ill having connecting passages I2I and I22 and a screw plug II8 for positioning of the valve member I I6 in the housing I H. The valve housing is fastened to the bracket I54 by means of the clamps I05.

The valve body H6 has a handle I26 clamped into position by a nut I2'I,'the handle carrying a stop arm I28 for engagement with the valve housing in the closed position of the valve, as shown in Fig. 2; or in the open position, as indicated by the dot and dash outline of the handle of Fig. 2. Two ports I29 in the wall of the valve body H6 are aligned with the handle I26 and serve for communication between the central chamber I20 and the passages HI and I22, re-

spectively.

As shown in Fig. 6, the nut I21 on the valve body H6 has a yoke I4!) pivotally fastened to it by means of two pins MI. The yoke carries an end screw I42. In the 'center'of the nut I2-I is 'located'a circular insert I43 having a' hollow center in which is inserted a small tube I44. The -insert or plug'l43 also has a gasket I45 for gas tight engagement with a shoulder I46 on the valve body I I6. The arrangement is such that with the insert I43 in position, as shown in the drawings, the. end screw I42 engages the insert I43 and may be tightened to secure the latter in place; however, when the system isto be made'ready for use screw I42 will be screwed back and the yoke I40 swung to the side to permit the removal of insert I43 including tube I The window mountings I23 and I24 are alike and each comprises an outer housing I50 in the form of a short circular tube having on its upper side a carved out portion I5I. A glass tube I52 is placed inside the opening I5I and is packed against-escape of gas through this opening by means of gaskets I53, spacer tube I54 and washers I55. The circular nut I56 serves to tighten these elements together against the shoulder I51. The right-hand end of mountings I23 and I24, as viewed in Figs. 4 and 6, are slightly enlarged and their interiors communicate through tubes HI and I12 with the passages I2I and I22, respectively. The left-hand ends of mountings I23 and I24 are closed and are adapted for fas teningto crosspiece I03 by means of screws and nuts I58; nipples I59 are also fastened at this end of the mounting for attachment of the flexibletubes I3I and I32.

As shown in Fig. 4, the right-hand enlarged portion of each of the housings I56 carries a yoke I60 pivoted on pins I 6| and carrying an end screw I62. A circular insert I63 is adapted to'fit snugly into the enlarged portion of housing I58 and to be held in position by end screw =I62 ,-eseape of gas being prevented by a gasket I65. The insert I63 has a hollow center for a gasket I56 and a short tube I64 screwed into position in insert I63. The hollowed out center of insert I63 communicates through drilled holes I61 with a circumferential groove I58 in the outer surface of the insert I 63, the groove I68 being opposite the tube connection I'II tothe valve chamber when the insert I63 is tightened in position.

When the system is prepared for use the screws I62 on mountings I23 and I24 are loosened and the yokes I66 turned aside to permit the removal of inserts I63 with their tubes I64. On replacement of the inserts I63 the yoke I60 is turned back and screw I62 tightened up.

which serves as a wick and absorbs the liquid when the tube is broken.

The chemical indicator is also supplied in an ampoule 2 I 0, such as shown in Fig. 8, which comprises a glass tube closed at both ends and con- I Itaining a strip 225 preferably of white blotting paper soaked with phenolphthalein; a stria at 'each end ofthe tube permits easy breaking off of both sealed ends. With the ends broken off the ampoule 2I0 is placed in the insert I63 by insertion into tube I64 and gasket I66, into which it fits snugly, and the open end of the ampoule will then communicate with the passages I61 of the insert I63.

The preparation of this outfit for a test may be accomplished in a couple of minutes. The box IliI contains a supply of the ampoules 260 and 2H); ampoule 200 is broken open, permitting the liquid to soak the wick and is placed in the guide tube I44 of insert I43. This unit then is inserted in the valve H5 and tightened in place by screw I42. The valve is in the closed position and chamber I26 is quickly filled with ammonia vapor. Two ampoules 2 I I! are then broken at both ends and placed in the plugs I63, inserted in the mountings I23 and I24 and tightened in place by screws I62. The two connections I3I and I32 are then clippedonto the two-valves I3 and I4 on the cable in the manhole. The outfit is then read foruse and valve I i5 may be opened. The circuit over which. the nitrogen from the cable passes-through the indicator system may be traced as follows: From valve I4 through clip I33, flexible connection I32 to mounting. I24, through the. glass tube of-ampoule 2m, drilled holes lei, tube connection'I'I2,.valve passage I22, chamber I23; ammonia gas is picked up here by the nitrogen-gas and carried along through valve passage IZI through tube connection I'II, drilled holes I5? into the glass tube of ampoule 2m, mounting I23 where the ammonia vapor will react with the phenolphthalein deposit on the indicator strip 225; the gas mixture continues through flexible connection I3I, clip I33 and valve I3 on the cable. With this direction of flow the strip 225 in mounting I23 will turn red which may be observed through the window I5I; the strip 225 in mounting I24 will be observed to remain white.

If desired the observation may be checked by interchanging the flexible connections I 3! and 532 to the valves I3 and I4 thereby reversing the direction of flow through the indicator system and causing ammonia gas to pass from the ohamber I25 into contact with the indicator strip 225 in mounting E24 which then also will turn red.

Upon completion of an observation the valve I I5 is closed and the three ampoules may quickly be removed and discarded, and a new set inse'rt ed for an observation to be taken in another manhole. disconnected from the cable, are folded into the box Iiil which then is closed and is'ready for transportation to the next manhole.

Dependingupon the amount of leakage in'the cable sheath under observation, and therefore upon the pressure difference between valves I3 and I4, the timed an observation will vary from a few seconds to about half an hour. The present indicator is extremely sensitive to pressure difierences between the=points of attachment. Thus in the case of a cable sheath with a leak so minute that a soap bubble of the approximate size .of, a pea would take 15 minutes to form over the leak, the devicedefinitely indicated the flow within 15 minutes. In this connection it may be stated that when the valve H5 is opened the valve chamber I26 Will be filled with ammonia gas and the indicating tubes 2I0 will be filled with the vapor-of phenolphthalein, and that a slow diffusion will take place, even in' the absence of a pressure difference, which, perhaps in 2 hours would cause a distinct coloration to take place; it may thus be seen, that only a slight pressure difference need be applied to the sys .tem to' retard diffusion in one direction and thus advance the coloration in one indicator with respect to the coloration in the other thereby giving a definite indication of the direction of the .fiow within a reasonable time. When desired the sensitiveness of the system may readily be reduced .by well known means for reducing the free infiltration of the two gases within the indicators. It .has been found in practice that experienced operators may draw conclusions from comparative observations of the time required for observable colorations to take place, orof-the degree of 'c'olorations in a given time, as to. which of two manholes on the same side of the leak is nearer to the leak or even what is the approximate location of the leak between two manholes.

The flexible connections I3I and I32, when What is claimed is: I 1. A flow indicating device comprisinga tubu larconduit, a visible chemical indicator in one part of said. conduit, and a supply of reactive fluidin another part of said conduit and normally out of contact with said indicator, said fluid being visibly reactive with said indicator when admitted into contact therewith by admission to said conduit of the flow to be observed.

"2. A flow indicating device for a tubular passage for fluid media comprising a conduit adapted to'form a by-path fora portion: of said passagaan indicator substance in said path normally surrounded by a non-reactive fluid, a supply of reactive'fluid normallyreposing in said path and instrumentalities included in said path for admitting said reactive fluid to at least partly replace said non-reactive fluid about said indicator in response to pressure difference over said portion due to a flow therein, said indicator substance being. observably modified by contact with said reactivefluid.

3. A flow indicator comprising a tubular conduit, a chemical reagent visibly placed in a part of said conduit, a supply of reactive vapor normally reposing in another part of said conduit out of contactwith said reagent, and connections for said conduit to a source of fluid pressure difierence for. admitting said vapor into contact with said reagent, saidvapor and said reagent beingof such compositions as will give a visible reactionwhen contacting with each other.

4.-A flow'indicator in accordance with claim 3 in which said reactive vapor is a base and said chemical reagentis an acid distinctly changing its color in reaction with said base.

5. A flow indicator in accordance with claim 3 in which said reactive vaporis ammonia and said chemical reagent is phenolphthalein.

6. A gas flow indicating device comprising a conduitforming a flow circuit, a chamber included in said circuit, a supply of reactive gas contained in said chamber, instrumentalities included in said circuit adapted for observation of the direction of gas flow therethrough, a deposit of a chemical reagent placed within said instrumentalitie's said reagent being normally out'of contact with and visibly responsive to contact with said reactive, gas, as by coloration, and connecting means for attachment ofisaid conduit to a source. of fluid pressure difference foradmitting saidgas into contact with said reagent.

'7. A gas flow indicator system comprising a conduit iorminga flow circuit, a'chambe'r included in said circuit, a wick in said chamber and containing a deposit of a chemical vapor solution, such as ammonium hydroxide, instrumentalities included in said circuit having a window for observation of the flow direction therethrough, an indicator in said instrumentalities containing a deposit of. chemical reagent, such as phenolphthalein, visibly responsive to contact with the vaporfrom said solution, as by coloration, but normally out of contact with said vapor, and connecting means for attachment of said conduit to a source of gas pressure for driving said vapor into contact with said reagent. 8..A gas flow indicator system in accordance with claim 7 in which said chamber and instrumentalities each includes a detachable plug adapted to receive the corresponding deposits for ready insertion thereinto.

9. A gas flow indicator system in accordance with claim 7 which includes a double valve for controlling the-through passage ofsaid circuit through said chamber. 1,0. An indicator system-for a tubular passage for fluid. media-having longitudinally separated points of accessto its interior, said system comprising a double indicating device containing a chemical reagent, a supply. of reactive fluid connected to the midpoint of saiddouble indicating device and initially out of contactwithsaid reagent, and connecting leads from the ends of said double indicating device for attachment to said two points for impressing on said system pressure differences 3 due to. a flow in either direction through said passage to admitsaid reactive fluid into contact with the chemical reagent inone or the other part of said double indicator for; visible reaction therewith, thereby indicatingthe direction of flow..

' 11. A flow indicator comprising a conduit forming a flow circuit having twobranches, a chamber connected between said branches, a reactive fluid contained in saidchamber, a deposit of achemical reagent in eachof said branches separatedfrom said fluid, said reagent being visibly reactive to contact with said fluid, connecting meansqfor attachment of said branches to a source of fluid pressure difference, and instrumentalities in each ofsaid branches for observation. of. the reaction with one or the other of saiddeposits to contact with said fluid in accordance with the direction at said pressure difierence relative to said. chamer. I

12. A gas flow indicator comprising a chamber containing a reactive vapor; two conduits oppositely directed from said chamber, an indicator window in each of said conduits, a chemical reagent placed within each of said windows, con necting means for said conduits for attachment to, a source of gas pressures and valving means for completing the series circuit through said chamber, conduits and connecting means, said chemical reagent being initially out of contact with said vapor and being reactive to contact with said vaporupon completion of said series circuit to acquire a .visible change observable through one of said windows in accordance with thedireetion of the pressure difference of said source at the points of attachment ,of said connecting means. 1 13-. A leakage. testing system for ,lead cov ered telephone cables comprising pluggings at both ends of a section of lead coveredtelephone cable for iSOIatiOII Of'SEid section from adjacent sections of cable,.said cable section containing a gas, such as nitrogen, under pressure, two gas valves attached a few,-.about 6 to 12, feet apartto said cable section for communication with the interior of the lead covering, agas flow indicator having connections-for attachment to said valves and adapted to form a continuous gas circuit between said valves and to receive a flow in either direction of said gas due to pressure differencebetween the two points of attachment of said valves, said indicator, including in its gas circuit a chamber containing a supply of ammonia vapor,-two holders each with adeposit of phenolphthalein and placed on opposite sides of said chamber, a window for each of said holders for observation of said deposits and double valving means for simultaneously establishing communication be tween said chamber and both of said holders to complete said gas circuit and admit ammonia vapor to either one of said holders by saidpressure difference and in accordance with its direction for visible coloration of said deposit, thereby indicating the direction of flow in said telephone cable section in case of a leak therein, as through its lead covering.

14. A method of determining a gas leak in a cable having an air-tight sheath containing an inert gas under pressure which comprises applying the pressure difference between two separated points on said cable to a gas circuit containing a chemical indicator, thereby admitting a vapor reactive with said indicator and separately located in said circuit into contact with said chemical indicator to produce a visible reaction therewith, as by coloration, and observing said reaction.

15. A method of locating a leak in an underground length of a multi-conductor cable having a hermetic sheathing enclosing conductors partly mutually insulated by air spaces which comprises sectionalizing said length by plugging of said air spaces, filling a section with an inert gas under pressure, connecting a by-path for gas to two points on the sheathing on said section, admitting said gas to said path to drive a reactive vapor from one part of said path into contact with one or the other of two deposits of a chemical reagent, visibly reactive to said vapor and separately located in said path on opposite sides of said one part, and observing the visible reaction of said vapor with one of said deposits, thereby determining the direction of flow in said section in case of a leak in its sheathing.

16. A method of locating a leak in an underground section of a multi-conductor lead sheathed cable plugged at both ends and filled with an inert gas under pressure which comprises developing a reactive vapor, such as ammonia, in a gas circuit at a point between two deposits of a chemical indicator, such as phenolphthalein, serially included in said circuit, applying to the said gas circuit the pressure diiference between two separated points on said-cable section located in a manhole to drive said vapor into contact with one or the other of said deposits to produce a coloration thereon, thereby making the direction of flow in said cable section visibly observable.

17. A leakage testing system for gas filled sheathed telephone cables which comprises pluggings for sectionalizing a cable, normally closed gas valves attached to a section of the sheathed cable at points longitudinally separated to be at difierent pressures in case of agas flow in said cable, a gas flow indicator adapted for attachment to two of said valves and forming a gas circuit adapted to receive a shunt flow between said two valves, said indicator including a supply of reactive vapor normally at restin one part of said gas circuit but movable along said circuit with said shunt flow upon completion of said gas circuit, and an indicating substance in another part of said gas circuit normally out of contact with said vapor, said indicating substance being visibly reacted upon by contact with said vapor, thereby indicating the presence of a gas flow in said cable.

WALTER C. KLEINFELDER. 

